Umbilical hernias can also develop in adults. Without treatment, the hernia will probably get worse over time.
Umbilical hernias are common and typically harmless. Umbilical hernias are most common in infants, but they can affect adults as well. In an infant, an umbilical hernia may be especially evident when the infant cries, causing the bellybutton to protrude. This is a classic sign of an umbilical hernia.
If hernia is left untreated, the size of protruding intestine might get bigger and become strangulated leading to the reduction of blood flow to surrounding tissue.
A bulge in the belly button or surrounding region (often most visible when coughing or straining) Pain at the hernia site. Constipation. Sharp abdominal pain and vomiting can mean the hernia is strangulated (note: if you are experiencing these symptoms please seek immediate medical attention as surgery may be required) ...
sudden pain that gets worse quickly. nausea and vomiting. fever. discoloration of your hernia bulge, especially red, purple or a general darkening.
Most patients with umbilical hernias first notice a belly button bulge or discomfort. Over time these hernias can get larger and more uncomfortable as the hernia sac gets pushed out from inside the abdomen. Like other hernias, an umbilical hernia in an adult will not go away or get better without treatment.
Your doctor will recommend surgery right away if: You have pain, a swollen belly, or other signs of a rare but major problem called strangulation or incarcerated hernia. This can occur when the intestine gets trapped in the hernia sac and loses its blood supply.
While most umbilical hernias are not a medical emergency, certain symptoms in babies and adults could mean a hernia is strangulated. This means the blood supply gets cut off to an organ that has pushed through the bellybutton or navel. Strangulated hernias may require emergency surgery to repair.
Waiting to cure an umbilical hernia is not recommended except for a very small hernia. The abdominal muscles weaken with age. Therefore, the hernia also increases in size.
A sudden increase in intra-abdominal pressure, such as coughing, vomiting, gastroscopy or, as in this case, straining for stool can cause rupture of an umbilical hernia.
A hernia usually does not go away without surgery. Non-surgical approaches such as wearing a corset, binder, or truss may exert gentle pressure on the hernia and keep it in place. These methods may ease the pain or discomfort and may be used if you are not fit for the surgery or awaiting surgery.
Most inguinal hernias can be pushed back into the belly with gentle massage and pressure. An inguinal hernia will not heal on its own. If you have symptoms, or the hernia is growing, you may need surgery.
Unlike most hernias, which develop in adolescence or adulthood, 20 percent of babies are born with umbilical hernias.
Umbilical hernias
It may get bigger when laughing, coughing, crying or going to the toilet and may shrink when relaxing or lying down. In many cases, the umbilical hernia goes back in and the muscles reseal by the time a child is 4 or 5 years old. Umbilical hernias can also develop in adults.
Also, you might be able to decrease pressure on the abdomen by decreasing your "gut in the middle." Improving your diet by cutting back on sugar, exercising and losing weight will put less pressure upon the hernia and may decrease the likelihood of ever needing hernia surgery.
Umbilical hernias are common and come in many sizes ranging from small (less than 1 cm) to medium (1 cm to 3 cm) to large (greater than 3cm).
During umbilical hernia repair, the surgeon makes a small cut of about 2 to 3cm at the base of the belly button and pushes the fatty lump or loop of bowel back into the tummy. The muscle layers at the weak spot in the abdominal wall where the hernia came through are stitched together to strengthen them.
Umbilical hernias can be directly under the belly button, or sometimes slightly above or below it. They can look like a small marble under the skin, or as they get larger they can look like a golf ball and sometimes a tennis ball if left untreated.
An epigastric hernia is a common condition caused by a weakness in your abdominal wall between your belly button and sternum. If left untreated, an epigastric hernia can cause serious complications.
Most umbilical hernias are nothing to worry about, and go away without medical treatment by the time a child is 4–5 years old. Surgery is done only if: the hernia doesn't close by age 4 or 5. the hernia becomes incarcerated (can't be easily reduced)
The latest hernia repair techniques usually allow you to return to normal activities within 2 weeks. Gentle exercise, such as walking, can help the healing process. Heavy lifting and strenuous activities should be avoided for about 4 to 6 weeks.
Many people are able to return to work within 2 to 3 days after surgery. But if your job requires you to do heavy lifting or strenuous activity, you may need to take 4 to 6 weeks off from work.
Umbilical hernia is a common finding in many cases, posing potentially life-threatening complications, such as incarceration or strangulation. The presence of malignancy in hernia sacs is, however, rather rare.
Many doctors recommend surgery because it prevents a rare but serious problem called strangulation. This occurs when a part of intestine or a piece of fatty tissue is trapped inside the hernia and is cut off from its blood supply.